Chhath Puja

What Is Chhath Puja?

Chhath Puja is an ancient Hindu festival dedicated to the Sun God, Surya Devta, and Chhathi Maiya. This observance is primarily focused on expressing gratitude to the sun for sustaining life on Earth and requesting blessings for general prosperity, good health, and the longevity of family members. It is unique for its rigorous penance and purity, often involving a fast that can last up to 36 hours without food or water.

The festival places a significant emphasis on cleanliness and specific rituals performed by the ‘vratis’ (devotees observing the fast), who are often women. These rituals include sacred baths, offering prayers while standing in water, and preparing specific offerings. Chhath Puja is predominantly celebrated in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as in the Terai region of Nepal.

History and Origins of Chhath Puja

The origins of Chhath Puja are deeply rooted in ancient Vedic traditions. References to Sun worship, particularly Surya Devta, can be found in the Rigveda, one of the oldest Hindu scriptures. The festival’s practices align with the ancient reverence for natural elements, especially the sun, which is considered a life-giver and healer.

Several mythological narratives are associated with Chhath Puja. It is believed that Lord Rama and Sita performed Surya worship after their return to Ayodhya following their exile. Another popular association is with Karna from the Mahabharata, who was the son of Surya Devta and was known for his daily ritualistic offerings to the sun. The Goddess Chhathi Maiya is considered a folk deity, often identified with Goddess Usha (the Vedic goddess of dawn) or as the sister of Surya, worshipped as a protector of children and bestower of well-being.

Historically, the practice of Chhath Puja has been most prominent in the Magadh region, which encompasses parts of modern-day Bihar. Over time, due to migration and cultural exchange, its observance spread to other parts of India and Nepal, becoming a significant cultural event for communities from these regions.

How Chhath Puja Is Celebrated

Chhath Puja is a four-day festival marked by strict adherence to purity and a series of detailed rituals. The observances begin with cleansing practices and culminate with offerings to the setting and rising sun.

Nahay Khay

The first day of Chhath Puja is known as Nahay Khay, which translates to “Bathe and Eat.” Devotees, primarily the vratis, take a ritualistic bath, often in a holy river or pond, to cleanse themselves both physically and spiritually. After the bath, specific vegetarian dishes, such as Kadu Bhaat (pumpkin and rice), are prepared and consumed. This meal marks the beginning of the strict dietary and fasting rules for the upcoming days.

Lohanda and Kharna

The second day is called Lohanda or Kharna. On this day, vratis observe a full day’s fast. In the evening, after sunset, a special prasad (offering) called Kharna is prepared. This typically consists of rice pudding (kheer) and chapatis (flatbreads), sometimes sweetened with jaggery. This prasad is first offered to Chhathi Maiya and then consumed by the vratis, which breaks their day-long fast. Following this, the challenging 36-hour nirjala vrat (fast without water) begins, lasting until the morning of the fourth day.

Sandhya Arghya (Evening Offering)

The third day is arguably the most significant, known as Sandhya Arghya, or the ‘Evening Offering’. Devotees, accompanied by family members, proceed to the banks of rivers, ponds, or other water bodies before sunset. They stand in the water and offer ‘Arghya’ (offerings) to the setting sun. The offerings include a variety of fruits, sugarcane, coconuts, earthen lamps, and homemade sweets like Thekua and Gujia, all arranged in traditional bamboo baskets. This collective ritual, accompanied by traditional Chhath folk songs, signifies devotion and gratitude.

Usha Arghya (Morning Offering)

The fourth and final day is Usha Arghya, the ‘Morning Offering’. Before sunrise, the vratis and their families return to the same water bodies. They offer Arghya to the rising sun, marking the culmination of the Chhath Puja rituals. After offering prayers and receiving blessings, the vratis break their 36-hour fast (known as ‘paran’) by consuming the Kharna prasad and other festive foods. The prasad is then distributed among family members, friends, and neighbours.

When Is Chhath Puja?

Chhath Puja is a moveable feast in the Gregorian calendar, as its dates are determined by the Hindu lunisolar calendar. It is consistently observed on the sixth day of the Kartik month, specifically during the Kartik Shukla Shashthi (the sixth day of the bright fortnight of Kartik). This places the festival approximately six days after Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights. Consequently, Chhath Puja typically falls in either late October or early November each year, with the exact dates varying annually.

Chhath Puja Key Facts